The Man Who Replaced Kathie Lee (For a Week!)

With Kathie Lee on vacation, the 'Today' show's Hoda Kotb welcomed a special guest host, MSNBC's 'Way Too Early' Willie Geist. He's caught everyone's attention this week. So who is Kotb's new buddy?

I had the opportunity to chat with Geist this week and find out more about morning TV's newest star and why he's grateful that Kathie Lee lent him her bar stool for a week.

What's it like being on 'The Today Show'?
This week we've had champagne, margaritas and a wine tasting on the show, so mostly I'm just hungover. Hoda is a great drinking buddy. I'm grateful that Kathie Lee lent me her bar stool for a week.

How did you get your start?
In keeping with the booze theme, I drove a liquor delivery truck for six months out of college before taking a job at CNN editing sports highlights. I eventually became a producer and later, through a series of egregious clerical errors, ended up on television at MSNBC.

Does your family watch you on TV?
My show 'Way Too Early' is on MSNBC at 5:30AM, so my family members, like most people who are not clinically insane, do not watch live. That's what DVR is for. My three-year-old daughter actually screams to get me off the screen when I come on. She prefers the Wonder Pets to her own father. Sad, I know.

You are surprising tall. What else about you is a surprise?
I'm a student of rap music. I came up the hard way in suburban New Jersey. The other kids were all about Bon Jovi and The Boss, while I was rushing home to watch Big Daddy Kane on Video Music Box with DJ Ralph McDaniels. Also, I rode Secretariat to the Triple Crown in 1973. That always surprises people.

Who would you rather kiss: Hoda or KLG?
Al Roker.

Who is your fave celeb?
Jay-Z. I went to his show recently and hyperventilated like a 10-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert. I've spent some time around Bradley Cooper lately and he's an all-time great dude.

Do Mika and Joe argue off camera too?
Your question implies that they argue on camera. We call it healthy political debate – debate that's followed by long, expensive therapy sessions for all three of us. We work together to move past the pain.

What is it like knowing millions of people have woken up with you this week?
It feels promiscuous. I'm gonna go have some blood work done.

You are borrowing KLG's dressing room this week. What is it like?
Surprisingly understated for a star of her stature. Kathie Lee is a woman of the people. I probably shouldn't admit this in print, but I closed the door to her dressing room, popped in one of her CDs, and tried on every one of the dresses on her wardrobe rack, one by one.

Boxers or briefs?
Long johns. Year round.

If you, Matt and Al were on 'Dancing with the Stars' who would win?
Probably Mario Lopez.

Willie ... the answers to these questions were absolutely spot on and hysterical. "hyperventilated like a 10 year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert"Seriously! So many really funny one-liners.Thank you!

"...surprising tall..."? Who edited this article? Please look up the correct use of adverbs/adjectives. And if you don't have time to do that, refer to Willie Geist's response to the 8th question for the right way to do it. I've never seen this guy before, but he's already earned my lifelong respect for proper use of the English language. You rock, Willie! You suck, Rob Shuter and PopEater.

We wished you had Willie on all week - he was the best host you've had in a long time. Pierce is excellent too. The fella today tried to hard to be funny and it didn't work with Hoda. Sara is beautiful and should have more airtime! Her pieces on the Today Show are excellent and shows how talented and under used she is. Thanks for a great show everyday Hoda!!

Maybe Hoda's amazing to other people, but I find her to be mean & downright shallow. Clare Danes was on Today yesterday, wanting to discuss her Temple Grandin movie. Instead, Hoda fixated on Clare's long eyelashes. If I wanted to watch stuff like that, I'd go to the E! channel.

I was home from work this week and was lucky enough to catch him on The Today Show. He was very quick witted....loved his humor and the flow of it ! I will have to watch him now. I am up at 5:30...and yes...I am clinically insane

I LOVE Will in the early AM. I try to share with my young-thing co workers (I am a "mature") viewer. Now, that I happened upon "way too early" I just hope nature, or the cats waken me in time to watch. Will, please have your FATHER call me to let me know how to "tape" the show, in case none of the above happens.I caught you on the Today show, and at the winter games...you are THE rising star....stay as fun and sweet as you are.